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Haven of various species of Palearctic
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Some Historical Towns Surrounding the Park
- Kukawa:-
The Old historical town of Kukawa is in the northeast of Maiduguri 125 kilometers along the Maiduguri- Lake Chad Basin Road. Shehu Mohammed El-Kanemi, philosopher, social reformer and divine leader after he left Ngurno, founded it in 1814.
Denham, one of the British explorers, gave an interesting account of El-Kanemi when he visited there. Also, the correspondence between El-Kanemi (Shehu) and Usman Dan Fadio, his contemporary can be found in a contemporary Arabic work, Infaqual Al Maisuri, written by Sultan Bello. Shehu Laminu, as he was popularly called, died in 1835.
- Rabeh’s Fort, Dikwa:-
In 1893, the Borno Empires was temporarily eclipsed and the country ravaged by Rabeh, a lieutenant of Zobir pasha, the notorious slave from Sudan. When Egypt lost control of Sudan, in 1884, Rabeh drifted westwards with a well-trained army and captured the Borno capital of Kukawa. He then established his headquarter at Dikwa from where he governed the whole of Borno with a rule of appalling oppression and ferocity.
- Birni Ngazargamu:-
Although not yet declared a historical monument, the ruined of Birni Ngazargamu still stand. The city walls with its characteristic burnt bricks are fast crumbling. The presence of baobab trees is a confirmation of the presence of a town long disappeared. The site is near the town of Geidam, 315 kilometers (via Gumsa) north of Yerwa town.
It is believed that when the Kanuris left Njimi, the old capital of Kanem Empire, they spent the next 100 years under their Maiduguri kings wandering up the Banks of the River Komadugu-Yobe. By its banks, they built series of temporary capitals such as Wudi, Birni Kimi and Yamia until about 1470 when Mai gaji Dunomami founded Birni Ngazargamu.
For the next three centuries it remained the capital of Borno. At the peak of its glory, it is said that the town covered eight square kilometers and was estimated to have contained 200,000 people.
Scenic Areas around the Park.
Sambisa Game Reserve:- The Reserve is located in Konduga Local Government of Borno State some few kilometers from Maiduguri Borno State Capital. It is an important sanctuary for a group of migratory elephants that numbers over 200. It is also a home to a variety of rare and endangered species of animals such as Ostrich, Roan antelopes, Topi, Red fronted gazelle, etc. This patch of forest is well known for its large endemic population of guinea fowls, bustards and secretary birds.
Gujba Game Reserve:-
This is a highly potential fauna enclave in Yobe State that has all the attributes and potentials to include in the Parks ecotourism circuit. It is the route and stopover place for some migratory elephants.
Sanda Kyarimi Zoological Garden:-
It is situated within the Maiduguri metropolis along Shehu Laminu way. It serves as a wildlife sanctuary as well as a botanical Park, with various species of mammals and birds, and an amusement Park for children.
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